Marlins extend Orioles’ skid to 8 games with 2-0 victory

In an interleague matchup between two offensively challenged last-place teams, the Marlins scratched out a couple of runs against Kevin Gausman (3-6) for their fourth win in five games.

Baltimore Orioles' Trey Mancini (16) walks off the field after striking out swinging in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, June 15, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

In an interleague matchup between two offensively challenged last-place teams, the Marlins scratched out a couple of runs against Kevin Gausman (3-6) for their fourth win in five games.

BALTIMORE (AP) — In an interleague matchup between two offensively challenged last-place teams, a pair of runs was plenty for the Miami Marlins against the light-hitting Baltimore Orioles.

Jose Urena became the latest pitcher to raise his win total and lower his ERA against the Orioles, pitching eight innings of three-hit ball in a 2-0 victory Friday night.

It was the eighth straight loss for the Orioles, their longest skid since July 2011. The Orioles have dropped 15 of 17 overall and 10 straight at home, scoring only 14 runs.

“We’ve got some people that we know are capable of a lot better just aren’t able to produce right now,” manager Buck Showalter said. “There’s a lot of positive things being said before the game, and it just seems when we get into the game, we get back in that same situation we’ve been in many times.”

Urena (2-8) struck out four and walked one in his longest and most efficient outing of the season.

“He’s a strong kid, and honestly if we had a bigger lead I would’ve sent him back out,” manager Don Mattingly said. “He could’ve finished that.”

Urena, who started for Miami on opening day, is 2-1 in June after an 0-7 start.

“That was pretty good,” he said of his 112-pitch performance. “I tried to attack the batters in the zone. That was the plan.”

Kyle Barraclough worked a perfect ninth for his fifth save.

Lewis Brinson hit two triples for the Marlins, who have won four of five.

“We just keep scratching and clawing,” right fielder Brian Anderson said. “Our pitching has been great.”

Baltimore’s only hit over the first six innings was a single by Corban Joseph, recalled from Double-A Bowie before the game. The Orioles rank last in the AL in runs and batting average, and the trend continued in their eighth shutout loss.

Kevin Gausman (3-6) opened the game by throwing six straight pitches out of the strike zone. He only gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings, but it was two too many.

“Any runs our pitchers give up is magnified because we’re struggling so much to score,” Showalter said.

Gausman is 0-4 in six starts since May 11.

Miami went up 1-0 in the fifth on a two-out RBI single by Anderson. In the sixth, JT Riddle hit a two-out single and Brinson delivered his second triple.

That was the extent of Miami’s offense. The Marlins came in tied for last in the NL in runs.

Now in his third season, Brinson hit two triples in his first 88 big league games before doubling that total in Game 89. He became the eighth Marlins player to hit two in game.

DAVIS BENCHED

Orioles 1B Chris Davis has essentially been benched in the wake of a season-long slump.

Davis is batting .150 with four home runs, 15 RBIs and 86 strikeouts in 52 games. He hasn’t played since Monday, and there’s no telling when he will be back in the lineup.

“Chris is continuing with some things that he’s working on,” Showalter said.

Marlins: 3B Miguel Rojas left in the sixth inning after a pitch hit him on the left hand and ricocheted to his face. … INF Garrett Cooper (wrist) is participating in all baseball activities and live batting practice. … LHP Chris O’Grady (shoulder) threw a bullpen Thursday.

Orioles: INF Tim Beckham (groin strain) began his rehab assignment at third base with Bowie, going 0 for 2 with a walk.

UP NEXT

Marlins: Former Oriole Wei-Yin Chen (1-3, 6.13 ERA) makes his first appearance at Camden Yards since 2015 on Saturday afternoon. The lefty made his big league debut with Baltimore in 2012.

Orioles: Alex Cobb (2-8, 7.23) is 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins.